Cleveland TV Tales: Stories from the Golden Age of Local Television

by Mike Olszewski, Janice Olszewski

Remember when TV was just three channels … and the biggest celebrities in Cleveland were an outrageous movie host named Ghoulardi , a gentle elf named Barnaby , and a tough-as-nails newswoman named Dorothy Fuldheim ? These pioneering entertainers invented television programming before our very eyes while we watched from our living rooms. Revisit the early days of local TV in these fun and fact-filled stories featuring … … and many other local favorites .

Genres: Nonfiction

190 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2014

Reviews

[John Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is as weak as it is fast, which is good. I’m glad I read it but learned little – plus much of the book covered television before I was born. The book reported a few interesting things:
• During the Christmas season, the U.S. mail delivered on Sundays.
• Ads on Cleveland television started at $5 a spot!
• In 1961, there were only six McDonald’s stores in NE Ohio – and they were failing! Television helped increase their sales.
• Dorothy Fuldheim signed a new three-year contract at 90. The chapter about her was interesting but provided little new information. She provided her 6 pm commentary then suffered a major stroke and died that night in July 1984. I do remember that.
• Ghoulardi was covered, a guy I heard a lot about but was too young to remember.
• Captain Penny and Jungle Larry were reported, but again little new information or anything truly interesting.
• Mr. Jingeling was also covered, a guy who always creeped me out as a kid. He was connected to Halle’s department store. I felt even as a kid it was just a way to sell more junk. Later Halle’s pulled their sponsorship and he went off the air from 1969 until WUAB put him back on television in 1974. I didn’t welcome that but was glad they got the divorce.

The book surprised me by addressing labor unions covering media, including a newspaper strike and how workers honored one another’s picket lines. That was interesting.

[Ronald Koltnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

About 60 years ago, Captain Penny, the popular children’s show host, made a personal appearance in Akron. I sat on his lap and he asked me my name. “Ron,” I said. He smiled broadly and said “That’s my name too.” I felt ten feet tall. I grew up with Captain Penny, with Barnaby the Elf (and his pal Woodrow the Woodsman), and with horror film host Ghoulardi. Reading the book by the Olszewskis brought all of them back. There are great inside stories of the early days of television, but this is mainly a treasure trove for those of us from the Cleveland television market. A walk down memory lane all the way.

[Renata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was born in 1951 and grew up with the Cleveland channels and the characters who starred in early Cleveland TV. I loved the description of how program planning began and each familiar host was discovered. I especially have fond memories of Captain Penny, Dorthy Fuldheim, Gene Carroll, Mr. Jingeling and my favorite, Goulhardi!! My mom or girlfriend and I would cuddle on the couch and watch his antics and his "spooky" movies. It was great walking down the memory lane of my early childhood TV experiences.

[Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly a must read if you grew up in Cleveland during this time period.

[April Helms · Rating 3 out of 5]

Television enthusiasts and local history buffs will enjoy this book, which is full of stories and anecdotes from the early days of television. A lot of the personalities and shows were before my time, but I gave this book to my parents as a Christmas gift. For the most part I liked this book; it's a quick read, with a lively narration style. I do wish some things had been fleshed out. People from my parents generation and older will probably be able to connect the dots but I was left scratching my head over some things (for example, the book describes Dottie West, a Cleveland housewife turned Country singer and star "with a tragic past." So... what was tragic about her past? (I looked it up- abuse as a child and a lot of money problems as an adult, from what I found). But there are many things to enjoy. The chapter on Linn Sheldon (best known for his character of Barnaby) was my favorite. There were a couple times I had to put down the book I was laughing so hard, such as one tale where someone off the street walked right into the studio- while they were recording- to ask Sheldon for directions to the restroom (this was in the days before the doors were closed and locked). Also loved the chapters on feisty television personality Dorothy Fuldheim and horror host Ghoulardi. One thing I didn't realize was that the show Gilligan's Island had two actors with Cleveland connections, one of the many bits of trivia shared.

[Marley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice edition to my small, but growing library of Cleveland media histories. Very accessible and conversational. I especialy liked the chapters on the very early years of Cleveland TV (especially WEWS), Gene Carroll/Uncle Jake, Captain Penny, women in TV (especially Candy Lee who I believe later became a DJ, though there's no mention of that); and Linn Sheldon. I remember them all. I wish there were more about Bob Dale (no mention of Pooch Parade? but I do remember his show with Linn sponsored by Cotton Club) and Paige Palmer. Lots of all names including Albert Herrick and Earl Keyes. I had no idea, though, that Betty Cope had come out of TV that early. I remember her from PBS much later. Cleveland TB was seat-of-the-pants TV which would never be tolerated today. That is creative and fun--and legendary. BTW, will somebody please write a bio of Dorothy Fuldheim. I know someone wrote a thesis or dissertation on her, but I've never seen a book. I was afraid of her when I was quite young, but boy, shes rocked. A real pioneer.

[Gerald Matzke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read for me as a baby boomer who grew up as television was finding its way in Cleveland in the 50's and 60's. Most of the names in this book were very familiar especially the pioneers of children's shows. As catch phrases were mentioned, I found myself finishing the lines. It was surprising to reflect on how these TV friends influenced my life. If you grew up in the Cleveland area in the early days of television you will enjoy the walk down memory lane with folks like Barnaby, Gene Carroll, Captain Penny and so many others.

[Dr NSCA-CPT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. A lot of fun. It describes in detail the history of Cleveland, Ohio's greatest TV shows & personalities. The authors did incredible research and present the facts, details and stories in an entertaining fashion. I recommend this book for everyone who grew up in Cleveland, Ohio.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breezy & entertaining!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of this was before my time, but interesting. Other parts were a nice stroll down memory lane. Lots of interesting tidbits.